World Bank President warns climate change would block efforts to end poverty

A 2 degrees Celcius warmer world threatens to block efforts to end poverty around the world and Africa in particular.

This warning comes from the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim who spoke in London on Wednesday.

The head of the World Bank says a 2 degree Celsius warmer world could be upon us as early as the 2030's and 2040's.

He says he is concerned about the impact the warmer world would have on Africa.

"By the 2030's we could see a situation where extreme heat and drought could leave 40 per cent of land that's currently used in growing maize incapable of growing maize. Furthermore, the extreme heat is going to destroy the Savannah grasslands that are supporting pastoral livelihoods. If we are to have any hope of ending poverty, we have to make progress in Africa. If we don't do something about climate change mitigation, we are going to have a very difficult time ending poverty in the world and ending poverty in Africa." (31")

Jim Yong Kim says that in South Asia, shifting rain patterns can leave some cities under water and others without enough water for power generation, agriculture and for drinking.